Steven Graves, Ph.D.

Research Interests:

Research in the Graves lab focuses on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and stimulant-induced neurotoxicity. Bridging the gap between neurodegenerative diseases and stimulant-induced neurotoxicity is methamphetamine, which has been reported to increase the risk for developing Parkinson’s disease. This has drawn our attention to the role of mitochondria in determining the vulnerability of monoaminergic neurons and the mechanisms by which mitochondrial viability and function is impacted by drugs that disrupt vesicular packaging of neurotransmitters.

In addition to and complementing our work on neurodegeneration, we also direct our efforts towards understanding how striatal function is altered in response to perturbations in dopamine. In Parkinson’s disease there is a progressive loss of dopamine resulting in impaired motor function whereas drugs of abuse increase dopamine and can lead to addiction. Using rodent models of Parkinson’s disease and drug addiction we are able to assess the extremes of too little dopamine versus too much dopamine, the associated functional changes in striatal neurons, and the behavioral consequences.

To accomplish our research goals we use a combination of electrophysiological, optical, immunohistochemical, and behavioral techniques.